Soap-holder.



' D. BOUTELL.

. SOAP HOLDER.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 15, 1910.

Patented July 30, 1912.

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DANIEL BOUTELL, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

SOAP-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 30, 1912.

Application filed August 15, 1910. Serial No. 577,211.

To all whom it may concern:

1 Be it known that I, DANIEL BOUTELL, a citizen of the'United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful IInprovement in Soap-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in soap holders of that type which are used for detachably securing a cake of soap to a suitable permanent support or fastening in such a manner as to permit the free use of the soap but prevent its unauthorized removal from the support.

The object of this invention is to provide a soap holder of this character, of simple and compact construction to which the cake of soap can be easily and quickly secured and which will effectually operate to prevent the removal of the soap by unauthorized persons but will permit the ready release thereof, when desired, by the employment of a suitable key or other releasing device.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a support having a cake of soap secured thereto by a holder embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the holder and the cake of soap. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof, showing the holder in position for releasing the cake of soap. Fig. 4. is a similar view, showing the cake released from the holder. Fig. 5 is a transverse section, partly in plan, on line 5-5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a similar section on line 6-6, Fig. 2.

Like reference characters refer 'to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the cake of soap, B an anchor which is embedded therein in the usual manner and has a straight stem 1) which projects outwardly from one end of the cake, and G a hanger or other suitable support for the soap. The soap is detachably secured to the hanger by means of a holder D whichis adapted to haveinterlocking engagement with the stem 6 and is supported from the hanger C by the chain c and bail c or any other suitable means which permit the soap to be moved about freely within certain limits.

The holder D comprises a'hollow casing all within which is mounted a movable carrier E provided with a suitable clutch member or members F which are adapted to engage the stem 6 of the soap anchor when it is inserted into the holder and secure it against withdrawal therefrom. In the' construction shown, the casing cl is" of substantially cartridge shape, being closed at its lower end save for an opening d for receiving the stem of the anchor and open at its opposite or upper end and provided with a hollowcap or closure d which fits snugly therein for closing the same. The casing d and cap 0Z are provided in their opposite side walls with holes or openings d which register with each other, and the'opposite inturned ends of the bail 0' project through these holes into the interior of the cap. This forms a cheap and effective means for pivotally securing the bail to theholder, and for securing the cap in place within the end of the casing, but any other suitable means may be employed for this purpose if de sired. l i e The carrier E extends and is movable lengthwise ofthe casing d and is provided with a central" hole or opening e which is adapted to receive the stem .7) of the soap anchor. The inner wall of the casing inclines outwardly from the lower end thereof so that the diameter of the'interior of the casing gradually increases from its lower end upwardly. The carrienE is provided clutch members F vwhich, in the construction shown, are suitable balls of a diameter slightly greater than the'depth of the pockets so that they will project on one side into the stem opening 6 and on the opposite side beyond the outer edge of the head 6. The balls are thus adapted to engage both the stem 6 when it is inserted in the carrier, and the inclined inner wall of the casin and any outward movement of the stem will serve to wedge the balls firmly between the stem and the inclined wall and prevent the withdrawal of the stem.

While the balls F form simple and effective clutch members for engaging and holding the stem 6 in the holder, any other suitable form of clutch which will permit the stem to be freely inserted into the casipg and will operate to prevent the withdrawal thereof, may beemployed if desired.

G represents an annular guide plate which surrounds the upper end of the carrier E and is held in place against a shoulder g on the inner wall of the casing by the inner edge of the cap 01 which projects into the casing a sufficient distance for this purpose. A spring H is interposed between the guide Gr which forms a stop therefor, and the enlarged head '6 of the carrier. This spring presses the carrier outwardly toward the lower end of the casing and serves to normally hold the carrier in such a position within the casing that the balls F are in engagement with both the stem Z) and the inner wall of the casing. The upper end of the carrier is provided with an annular groove i'which, when the carrier is moved inwardly in the casing against the action of the spring H, is adapted to be engaged by the forked ends of a suitable key I which is inserted through a keyslot if in the side of the casing d, the cap d having a portion of its inner edge cut away to admit the key. The key serves to hold the carrier in its inward or raised position in which the clutch members are no longer in holding engagement with the stem 6 but permit thestem to be readily withdrawn from the carrier. While these means for releasing the clutch to permit the withdrawal of the soap are simple and easily operated, any other suitable means for effecting this result may be employed.

The holder forms an easy means for quickly and effectually securing a cake of soap to thesupport. It is only necessary to insert the stem 1) through the hole d in the lower end of the casing into the opening 0 in the carrier, and this can be easily done as the clutch members F offer no resistance to the inward movement of the stem. After the stem is inserted the spring I-I forces the carrier to a position in which the clutch members are in engagement with the stem and the inclined inner wall of the casing,- and any outward movement of the stem serves to wedge the clutch members firmly between the stem and the inclined wall so as to prevent further movement of the stem.

To remove the soap, the carrier is moved inwardly or upwardly within the casing until it is in position for engagement with the key I. This is done by pushing the stem 72 inwardly in the casing, the stem fitting sufficiently snug in the hole 6 in the carrier so that the inward movement of the stem will raise the carrier against the action of the spring H. The key I is then inserted for holding the carrier in its raised position with its clutch members released, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The stem 6 can then be easily withdrawn from the carrier and the casing and the soap removed from the holder.

I claim as my invention:

1. A soap holder comprising a member which is secured to the cake of soap and has a projecting stem, and a holding member for said stem comprising a casing, a clutch carrier in said casing which is movable to permit the insertion of said stem into said casing at one end thereof, a closure for the other end of said casing, a guide plate for said clutch carrier secured in said casing, a spring interposed between said guide plate and a part on said clutch carrier for moving the latter outwardly in said casing, and a clutch member arranged in the outer end of said carrier, an inclined face in said casing which forces said clutch member into engagement with said stem when said carrier is moved outwardly, said carrier being fashioned at its inner end beyond said guide plate for the engagement of a key to release said clutch member and permit the withdrawal of said stem when said carrier is moved inwardly, and said casing having an opening for the admission of the key, substantially as set forth.

2. A soap holder comprising a member which is secured to the cake of soap and has a projecting stem, and a holding member for said stem comprising a casing, a clutch carrier in said casing which is movable to permit the insertion of said stem into one end of said casing, a spring for moving the clutch carrier outwardly in said casing, a cap which closes the opposite end of said casing and has an annular flange against which the end of said spring bears, and a clutch member which is carried by said carrier and is adapted to engage said stem for holding it in said casing, said carrier being fashioned for engagement of a key to release said clutch member and permit the withdrawal of said stem, and said casing and said flange in said cap having openings for the admission of the key, substantially as set forth.

3. A soap holder comprising a member which is secured to the cake of soap and has a projecting stem, and a holding member for said stem comprising a casing, a clutch carrier in said casing which is movable to permit the insertion of said stem into one end of said casing, said clutch carrier being cylindrical and having a head at one end and an annular groove in its opposite end for engagement with a key for holding said carcasing having an opening for the admission rier against movement, a clutch member arof said key, substantially as set forth. 1 ranged in said head and adapted to engage Witness my hand in the presence of two said stem, means in said casing for forcing subscribing witnesses.

said clutch member into holding engagement DANIEL BOUTELL. with said stem to prevent the withdrawal Witnesses: of the stem from the casing, and a cap which E. O. HARD,

closes the opposite end of said casing, said O. B. HORNBEOK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

